Over the years, mutual fund investing has been made more accessible to small investors. Most fund houses now offer micro SIPs, allowing you to begin your investment journey with a monthly SIP of just Rs 100 or a lump sum investment of the same amount.

The option to start with a small amount helps small investors develop an investing habit without financial stress. This change is not only democratising investing but also giving millions of people the opportunity to build wealth in a stable and disciplined manner over the long term.

Why a Rs 100 SIP investment matters

A Rs 100 SIP breaks a significant psychological barrier for new investors. People often think that investing requires a large sum of money, but the option to start with just Rs 100 gives them the confidence to take the first step. Furthermore, SIPs starting with small amounts grow over time through compounding, leading to a substantial corpus in the long run.

It also offers flexibility — you can start with a small amount and, as your income grows or circumstances improve, you can comfortably increase your SIP. This model is also extremely useful for those who find it difficult to set aside a fixed large amount each month.

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For example, students, gig workers, freelancers, or housewives often have limited money or irregular income. Micro SIPs help these people begin their investment journey. This small step not only instills the habit of disciplined savings but also lays a strong financial foundation for their future.

This story will discuss the 5 top-rated HDFC mutual funds (equity plans) that allow lump-sum and SIP investments with a Rs 100 investment. These 5 HDFC funds are 5-star rated by Value Research and CRISIL.

Funds with a five-star rating naturally inspire greater trust among investors, as this rating is based on their past performance, risk management, and ability to deliver consistent returns. When a fund demonstrates stability and quality over a long period of time, even new investors gain confidence in investing.

The 5 top-rated schemes with the Rs 100 SIP option and the lump sum option are –

1. HDFC Flexi Cap Fund – Direct Plan

The fund allows new investors to begin their journey with complete ease and flexibility. You can start investing with just Rs 100, whether it is a one-time lump sum, an additional purchase, or a monthly SIP. Even withdrawals can be made starting from Rs 100, making it convenient for small savers who want full control over their money.

Basic details:

The fund is an open-ended equity scheme from HDFC Mutual Fund, launched on January 1, 2013. Since its inception, the fund has delivered a return of 17.04%. It is benchmarked against the NIFTY 500 TRI and is classified as a Very High risk fund, suitable for investors with a long-term horizon. As of October 31, 2025, the fund manages assets worth Rs 91,041 crore with an expense ratio of 0.68%.

2. HDFC Focused Fund – Direct Plan

HDFC Focused Fund – Direct Plan offers an easy and accessible entry point for new and small investors. You can begin with a minimum investment of just Rs 100, whether it is a lump sum, an additional purchase, or a monthly SIP. Even withdrawals are allowed from Rs 100, giving investors full flexibility to manage their money as per their comfort.

Basic details:

The fund is an open-ended equity scheme from HDFC Mutual Fund, launched on January 1, 2013. Since inception, the fund has delivered a return of 15.90%, indicating its ability to create value over the long term. It is benchmarked against the NIFTY 500 TRI and falls under the Very High risk category. As of October 31, 2025, the fund manages assets worth Rs 25,140 crore with an expense ratio of 0.61%

3. HDFC Large Cap Fund – Direct Plan

HDFC Large Cap Fund – Direct Plan allows investors to start with a very small amount, making it suitable even for first-time or small investors. You can begin with a minimum investment of just Rs 100, whether it is a lump-sum, an additional purchase, or a monthly SIP. The minimum withdrawal amount is also Rs 100, which adds flexibility for investors who may want to redeem smaller sums.

Basic fund details:

The fund is managed by HDFC Mutual Fund and has been in existence since January 1, 2013. Since its launch, the fund has delivered a return of 14.11% and is benchmarked against the NIFTY 100 TRI index. It is an open-ended equity scheme that falls under the “Very High” risk category on the riskometer. As of October 31, 2025, the fund manages assets worth ₹39,779 crore and carries an expense ratio of 0.97%.

4. HDFC Mid Cap Fund – Direct Plan

HDFC Mid Cap Fund – Direct Plan allows investors to start investing with a very small amount. You can begin with a minimum of Rs 100 for a lump-sum investment, additional purchases, or even a monthly SIP. The minimum withdrawal amount is also Rs 100, giving investors the flexibility to redeem small amounts whenever needed. This low entry point makes it easier for new and small investors to participate in mid-cap equity investing.

Basic fund details:

This fund is an open-ended equity scheme from HDFC Mutual Fund and has been active since January 1, 2013. The fund has delivered a strong return of 21.17% since launch and tracks the NIFTY Midcap 150 TRI as its benchmark. It is classified as a “Very High” risk fund because it invests in mid-sized companies that can be more volatile. As of October 31, 2025, the fund manages assets worth Rs 89,383 crore and has an expense ratio of 0.71%.

5. HDFC Retirement Savings Fund Equity Plan – Direct Plan

The fund makes it simple for long-term investors to start building their retirement corpus with minimal financial commitment. You can begin with just Rs 100, whether as a one-time investment, an additional purchase, or a monthly SIP. Even withdrawals are allowed from Rs 100, offering flexibility if you need access to funds.

Basic details:

Launched on February 25, 2016, the fund has delivered a strong return of 19.87% since inception. It is benchmarked against the NIFTY 500 TRI and is classified as Very High risk, making it suitable for investors with a long investment horizon and the ability to withstand market volatility. As of October 31, 2025, the fund manages assets worth Rs 6,969 crore with an expense ratio of 0.71%.

(Data: Value Research, Financial Express Mutual Fund Screener)

What kind of corpus can investors make through Rs 100 SIP?

Returns in mutual funds are never guaranteed, but long-term historical trends (of these 5 funds) show that SIP investors have received returns in the range of 15-21% in the last 10 years.

Let’s take an example – if an investor starts with a SIP of just Rs 100 and continues to step it up by 20% for the next 30 years, they can grow this into a significant corpus. The effect of compounding and growing investments will do a wonder.

Here, since we have taken the starting SIP investment as Rs 100, we are assuming that the investment will increase by 20% every year. This means the SIP amount will rise by Rs 20 in the next year, by Rs 24 the year after that, and so on. This assumption is based on the idea that people’s income generally grows over time, allowing them to gradually increase their SIP contributions. Secondly, we have considered a 15% annual return on the SIP investment over the next 30 years. This is reasonable because we have taken the lowest return (15% to 21% over the last 10 years) delivered by these five funds.

SIP amount: Rs 100

Step up every year: 20%

Investment duration: 30 years

SIP return: 15%

Invested amount: Rs 14,18,258

Total gains: Rs 30,16,337

Total corpus after 30 years: Rs 44,34,595

Simply put, starting small is no obstacle — consistent investment and time are the two elements that have the potential to transform even small contributions into substantial financial goals.

How to start a SIP with Rs 100: A simple step-by-step process

Starting a SIP with Rs 100 is simpler than ever, and the entire process can be completed online in just a few minutes.

First, complete your KYC — it’s now completely digital, requiring you to simply verify your PAN, Aadhaar, and basic details online. Next, visit a trusted app or mutual fund platform, select your preferred fund, and enter Rs 100 as the investment amount.

The next step is to set up auto-debit, so your SIP will be automatically deducted from your bank account every month. No hassle of filling out forms, no bank visits — the entire process is paperless, fast, and extremely convenient.

With this simple setup, any beginning investor can take the first step on their long financial journey without any difficulty.

In conclusion: Small beginnings make a big journey

The most important thing in the world of investing isn’t how big you start, but how early you start.

Even a small SIP of Rs 100 can instill disciplined savings and investment habits, which form the foundation for significant financial changes over time. A small step today, if continued regularly, can lead to a meaningful and robust wealth accumulation in the years to come. So don’t hesitate —even a small amount like Rs 100 can be the beginning of a long and successful investment journey.

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks. Please consult your financial advisor before investing.